U.S. Customs and Border Protection Columbia Port of Entry

• Project Type: Renovation and Adaptive Reuse | Aviation and Federal

• Location: West Columbia, South Carolina

• Owner: Richland-Lexington Airport District / Columbia Metropolitan Airport

• Federal Agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Architect/Engineer: Mead & Hunt and Foth Infrastructure & Environment

• Facility Area: Approximately 8,000 square feet

• Construction: Comprehensive renovation and interior upfit of an existing single-story airport building

• Key Features: Airside arrival and queuing areas, primary and secondary processing, baggage collection, agricultural inspection, secure operational spaces, administrative areas and supporting staff facilities

• Major Improvements: Low-slope roof replacement, exterior window replacement, structural modifications, site improvements and upgraded mechanical, plumbing, electrical, communications and security systems

• General Contractor: Solid Structures

Solid Structures served as the general contractor for the renovation and expansion of Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in West Columbia, South Carolina. The project transformed an existing single-story airport building into an approximately 8,000-square-foot Federal Inspection Station designed to meet current Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection standards.

The completed facility provides dedicated space for processing international passengers, business aviation traffic and inbound air cargo. Its specialized program includes airside arrival and queuing areas, primary and secondary processing, baggage collection, agricultural inspection, secure operational spaces and supporting administrative and staff areas.

The comprehensive scope included selective demolition, interior reconstruction, specialized secure construction, roof and exterior-window replacement, structural modifications, site improvements and coordinated upgrades to the facility’s mechanical, plumbing, electrical, communications and security systems. Completed in 2026, the project significantly expanded CAE’s customs-processing capabilities while supporting future international business, charter and cargo activity throughout South Carolina.

The project demonstrates Solid Structures’ ability to deliver technically demanding federal and aviation construction within an active, access-controlled airport environment where security, regulatory compliance and detailed coordination are essential.